A SpaceX Starship rocket exploded late Wednesday during a routine ground test at the company’s Starbase facility in Texas, but no injuries were reported thanks to effective safety protocols.
The incident occurred shortly after 11:00 p.m. local time as Starship 36 was being prepared for its tenth test flight. According to company officials, the rocket experienced a “major anomaly” during the procedure, triggering a contained explosion.
A designated safety perimeter ensured there were no hazards to on-site personnel or nearby communities. SpaceX urged the public to avoid approaching the area while post-explosion safing operations continue.
Standing at 403 feet, Starship is the most powerful rocket ever constructed and is central to Elon Musk’s Mars ambitions. The Texas-based Starbase launch site plays a pivotal role in SpaceX’s long-term goals of deep-space exploration.
This marks another blow for the program. Just last month, a prototype disintegrated over the Indian Ocean after a booster failed to complete a planned splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico. Earlier attempts have also ended in failure, including mid-air breakups during upper-stage separation.
Despite repeated setbacks, SpaceX remains committed to developing reusable, heavy-lift launch systems that could redefine the future of space travel.
